Barratt Developments A109 G-HELY has featured previously on this thread but this is, to the best of my knowledge, the first time an image of G-BEKH has cropped-up.
Barratt Developments Agusta-Bell 206B JetRanger II G-BEKH
BEKH was delivered to Barratt in January 1977 and remained with them until sold to WR Finance in 1981. In 1987 the craft was exported to France where she was to fly as F-GFDO.
While in the Barratt stable BEKH experienced a turbine rotor burst on 11th December 1980. An extract from the
accident report reads:
"The accident occurred during a private flight immediately after take-off from a helipad in the central area of Dundee. There was an explosion in the engine and, with loss of power, the helicopter settled back onto the helipad. A limited fire was extinguished by the pilot and neither he nor his passengers sustained any injuries.
The report concludes that the first stage turbine wheel became disengaged, oversped and burst due to the failure, in fatigue, of a tie-bolt clamping it to the second stage turbine and compressor drive. The reason for the development of fatigue was not conclusively established but evidence is presented which suggests that the manufacturers should re-assess the loads sustained by the tie-bolt. Recommendations are also made concerning the vulnerability of the Bell 206 and other helicopters to secondary damage and fire following an un-contained engine failure."
Does anyone recall who flew BEKH for Barratt?